Job Posting Title: Net Zero Support Officer
Grade and Salary: Grade 7 £35,308.00 - £43,155.00
FTE and working pattern: Full time, open-ended - consideration will be given to part time request
Directorate: Estates & Facilities
Purpose of Role:
Reporting to the Environment & Energy Manager, the role holder will provide development and implementation support across a range of programmes and projects designed to assist achievement of the University's Net Zero objectives and improve the environmental sustainability of our operations. The breadth and cross-cutting nature of the Net Zero challenge is reflected in the diversity of projects and initiatives in which the role holder will be involved, supporting the University in taking targeted and effective action against emissions across Scopes 1 to 3.
Initial priority areas will include work to improve emission reporting processes in alignment with recent sector guidance, support for the implementation of energy management and emission reduction projects and work with academic and professional services colleagues to implement Net Zero Plan priority measures to tackle Scope 3 emissions, for example across opportunity areas including travel and circular economy / resource efficiency.
The role holder will additionally be involved in the development / enhancement of environmental compliance processes and procedures, and as a member of the environmental sustainability team will contribute to the development of relevant sustainability strategies, policies and plans.
The Net Zero Support Officer will liaise and work closely with a broad range of stakeholders within and linked to the University community, including student representatives, professional services and academic colleagues, sector organisations and funding bodies.
Key Duties, Competencies, Areas of Responsibility:
Key Duties / Technical Specialism
Work with the Environment & Energy Manager and professional services colleagues to develop, enhance and operate data processes supporting the University's global annual reporting of greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, in alignment with sector best practice.
- Assist the identification and implementation of energy efficiency /energy management / renewable energy related emission reduction opportunities / projects, in pursuit of operational efficiency and the University's Net Zero target.
- Aid the development and implementation of campus specific resource efficiency plans (circular economy and waste) including establishment of associated reporting processes and targets.
- In liaison with Hospitality colleagues and the Sustainability team, and following engagement and consultation with the University community, lead the development of a Sustainable Food Policy and the implementation of associated initiatives.
- Progress sustainable procurement / supply chain related Scope 3 emission reduction opportunities in conjunction with Procurement team colleagues and sector procurement bodies.
- Support the Sustainability team during the development of the University's sustainable travel policy and planning processes and assist the implementation of linked initiatives across sustainable business travel and sustainable/active commuting travel.
- Work with Estates colleagues to support the adoption of enhanced energy data management and energy/emission visualisation platforms.
- Contribute to the enhancement, harmonisation and formalisation of the University's environmental management arrangements, including development and implementation of compliance and performance improvement related procedures, policies and strategies as appropriate.
Education, Qualifications & Experience:
Essential
- A degree level qualification.
- Developed knowledge/understanding of environmental management and sustainability principles and their application in a corporate environment.
- Experience of working closely with a variety of stakeholders to implement environmental sustainability initiatives and achieve associated objectives.
- Well developed interpersonal and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively.
- Excellent customer service and attention to detail.
- Ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic and changing environment.
- Effective IT skills, specifically Microsoft 365 applications.
- High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Desirable
- A degree or postgraduate qualification in a directly relevant discipline.
- Energy management experience, including the identification and implementation of energy conservation measures.
- Corporate sustainability and climate change mitigation experience gained in the higher and further education sector.
- Experience of developing and implementing improvement projects across any of: resource efficiency/circular economy, sustainable travel, sustainable food, biodiversity, sustainable procurement.
- Corporate greenhouse gas emission reporting experience.
- Experience of energy and emission data management systems/platforms.
- An understanding of relevant environmental regulatory requirements.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Sunday, 4th June 2023
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
About our Directorate:
The Estates and Facilities Directorate leads the global provision for Strategic Planning and Operational Management of Estates, Facilities and Hospitality Services. Additionally in the Directorate is Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre, a leading facility for performance sports which has been recognised for providing best in-class facilities for our students and the community. The remit is to ensure that the facilities and services within the directorate are capable of supporting the delivery of the University Strategic Plan and beyond.
Estates and Facilities is a key professional service directorate within the University's Professional Services' operating structure. The directorate has around 300 staff.
In Edinburgh, the University estate principally comprises a campus site positioned within the green belt to the West of Edinburgh. It totals 154 hectares with some 100 buildings providing a developed floor space of upwards of 160,000m², together with grounds, roads, car parks, HV Electrical network, high pressure gas network, mains water distribution and pumping system and drainage. The University operates from further Scottish Campuses at Galashiels and Orkney and international campuses located in Dubai and Malaysia.
The University has adopted an ambitious approach towards Global Environmental Sustainability and is finalising a Net Zero Plan that will build upon existing carbon management planning and define our response to the challenge of climate change.